8 Israeli Arabs arrested for role in Lod Molotov cocktail attack

Eight Israeli-Arab residents of Lod have been arrested for throwing Molotov cocktails at two homes in the city that were occupied by Jews in late May, security officials reveal.

The eight suspects allegedly hurled five Molotov cocktails at an apartment building in Lod on May 28 that was occupied by Jewish residents. Two apartments were damaged from the resulting flames, though no occupants were wounded in the attack.

A Shin Bet official says the attack was “different in character from other attacks during the clashes in May — it wasn’t carried out spontaneously in the heat of the moment but was planned over a period of several days.” The suspects are slated to be indicted in the coming days.

The attack occurred about a week after a ceasefire took effect following 11 days of fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. During the conflict, heavy clashes between Jews and Arabs broke out across the country, particularly in Lod, and several people were killed.